Seeking ministry partners: Youth for Christ wants to reach more kids

Friday

Apr 4, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Since taking over as director for the Redwood Falls Youth for Christ program, Chris Schmitz has helped create a number of new programs and ministry opportunities for area youth, and he’s not done yet....

By Troy KrauseEditor

Since taking over as director for the Redwood Falls Youth for Christ program, Chris Schmitz has helped create a number of new programs and ministry opportunities for area youth. He’s not done yet. In fact a new concept he hopes to implement could target even more kids from the area, especially those in Grades 6-9. “We have a plan to increase how we are impacting teens in Jesus’ name,” said Schmitz, adding that means having more partners who are willing to come alongside to help the program as it grows. One idea Schmitz is working on with the local Youth for Christ advisory board is an after school program for those younger kids who don’t have anything else to do. The idea would be to offer time at the Youth for Christ Center, which is located on Washington Street, after school where the kids could just come and hang out in a safe environment.

For the after school program to happen, Schmitz said he needs some adult volunteers who are willing to spend a couple of hours during the afternoon at the Youth for Christ center serving as mentors and just being available for them when they come. “I need about eight volunteers for a couple of hours,” Schmitz said, adding he is hoping to offer the program four to five days each week. “The volunteers would not have to be here every day.” Schmitz said the program would allow adults to befriend junior high youth in the community, and to offer them another adult in their life they can trust. Schmitz is also working to raise funds for the local program, and is currently hosting banquets at several churches in the area. He is also planning on hosting a banquet at Calf Fiend Cafe May 18 at 12:30 p.m. “Come for a free catered meal and hear all about our program,” Schmitz said. For more information about the May 18 event, contact Schmitz at (507) 637-8140. In terms of fund raising, Schmitz is also working on a local barbecue cook-off contest which is going to be held during the county fair. A building on the fairgrounds is going to serve as the site for the cook-off. Schmitz is looking for people who are interested in competing, as well as donors who would like to help cover some of the costs for the necessary items such as the meat. More about this event follows as the date gets closer. The Youth for Christ center is hosting another concert tomorrow night starting at 7 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public. Schmitz said the past year has been a good one, as he continues to make connections with kids. There are about 60 youth from the area who are involved in some way. Schmitz said he enjoys what he is doing, because he feels Youth for Christ can make a difference in the lives of area youth.

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